Benicia, regulators agree on boatyard plan

BENICIA -- The city's discussions with regulators regarding the boatyard cleanup at the end of West C Street have entered a new phase, a city official said Thursday.

"Our goal is to work cooperatively with the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) to define a cleanup project that can be approved by BCDC, that will be acceptable to the City Council and that includes proper opportunity for public input and environmental safeguards," Benicia Community Development Director Charlie Knox said.

The city and boatyard owner Phil Joy have been working with the commission to identify funding to complete the removal of derelict boats and barges along the city shoreline.

Funding to complete the project was identified earlier this year, but the city hesitated on moving forward after several city residents objected to the cleanup because of the vessels' artistic and historic nature.

Two weeks ago, the commission warned the city that if it didn't proceed by February, it may issue a cleanup order forcing the city to move forward, and pay for the work itself.

Earlier this week, however, both the city and the commission were informed by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery that time had run out to arrange for work to be done during the January daytime low tides.

"At this time it is our understanding that BCDC has not set any specific deadlines or scope of work for the cleanup," Knox said. "Therefore the first step in this next phase will be for city and BCDC staff to meet to map out a strategy for cleanup of the site. This strategy will include the city facilitating a dialogue with our residents on the issues that were recently raised."